Basket liner

ABSTRACT

A removable infant-seat liner that includes a first layer with a top portion, a bottom portion and a drawstring or elastic member along an outer edge of the first layer is provided. The liner further includes a second layer substantially affixed to the first layer top portion. The outer edge of the first layer is sized to be situated around an outer rim of a basket and the first layer is sized to fall within an internal portion of the basket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/542,970, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a basket liner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a removable infant-seat liner that comprises a first layer with a top portion, a bottom portion and a drawstring or elastic member along an outer edge of the first layer is provided; a second layer substantially affixed to the first layer top portion; and wherein the outer edge of the first layer is sized to be situated around an outer rim of a basket and the first layer is sized to fall within an internal portion of the basket.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrates one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention is set forth in the specification, which refers to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a basket liner according to the invention; this perspective shows all pieces of the liner separately before the parts are affixed together.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of an assembled basket liner, not in connection with a basket.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, shown within a laundry basket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference now will be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not a limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.

Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are disclosed in or are obvious from the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention.

During the course of infant development, learning to sit unassisted is a major milestone for infants. This may occur anywhere between about four and nine months of age, depending on many factors. During the time period in which an infant is learning to sit unassisted, parents and caregivers will often prop the child up with pillows and the like to support him and/or cushion his falls.

The present invention is directed, in an embodiment, to a removable, washable basket liner. The basket liner of the invention is designed to be placed inside a laundry basket or similar receptacle and provides a soft, padded, portable environment in which a baby can safely relax and/or play during the months in which he is learning to sit unassisted. The basket walls provide the necessary stability as the child is learning to manage his own balance. He learns to safely self-adjust as he leans against one or more of the basket walls. As he sits forward in the basket, he learns to balance unassisted. During this learning process, should the child lose his balance and fall in any particular direction, the padded basket liner receives his weight and he is not injured by the basket. Additionally, depending on the stage of development, he is then able to readjust himself into a seated position.

In some embodiments, the invention comprises the basket and liner. The basket may comprise a household laundry basket or any other similarly sized and shaped basket. The basket may be square, rectangular, round, oblong, ovular, asymmetrical, or any other shape desired. The basket may be made of plastic, metal, cardboard, wicker, or any other known materials. Generally speaking, the basket should be sized such that the walls are high enough to support the weight of an infant in the seated position.

In an embodiment, the basket liner has at least one built-in pocket, loop, or hook that can be used to hold or contain toys or books. In another embodiment, toys may be permanently affixed to the basket liner. The pocket(s), loop(s), hook(s), and/or toy(s) may be located at various heights and locations within the basket. Because the child is contained within the basket, his toys should all be maintained within reach.

The basket liner, in an embodiment, may be made of fabric. The fabric may comprise any shape known in the art and may depend on the shape of the basket to be fitted. In some embodiments, the fabric may be square, rectangular, oblong, ovular, or circular. In an embodiment, the fabric is cotton, but any fabric material known in the art may be utilized herein. The fabric may be pre-shrunk.

The dimensions of the fabric will vary based upon the size of the basket to be fitted. Generally speaking, the fabric will be slightly larger than the basket on all sides.

In an embodiment, the basket liner may comprise two layers of fabric, sewn or otherwise affixed to one another. In yet another embodiment, a middle layer of cotton batting may be sandwiched between the layers of fabric. In other embodiments, a middle layer of foam, stuffing, feathers, or any other soft or cushiony materials used in the art may be placed between the two fabric layers. When the fabric layers and middle layers are affixed together, the basket liner should approximately fit the contours (both side and bottom) of the basket.

In a particular embodiment, the middle layer of the basket liner may be tapered on the corners such that it more easily fits the contours of the particular basket.

In one embodiment, the entire basket liner is machine washable. In yet another embodiment, the two layers of fabric are removable from the middle layer such that the fabric layers can be separately washed. In this embodiment, the fabric layers may comprise a zipper or other mechanism allowing them to be removed and/or separated from the middle layer.

In an embodiment, the basket liner may be reversible, such that either of the two fabric layers could be placed in contact with the bottom wall of the basket.

The basket liner may be removably attached to the basket via elastic, a drawstring, Velcro, snaps, clips, or any other means for removably attaching the basket liner to the basket. In some embodiments, the basket liner fits just over the lip of the laundry basket, secured underneath by any means known in the art. When secured in place, the liner successfully pads the basket's lip, four interior side walls, and bottom wall to create a soft, nest-like area in which the baby can sit. The pockets and tabs enhance play to make toys readily accessible and reachable by the baby.

In an embodiment, the basket liner of the invention has a means on its underside which grips the laundry basket bottom wall. In this embodiment, the means may be rubberized or gripping pads, Velcro, snaps, clips, or any other means known in the art. The optional gripping mechanism allows the basket liner to remain stationary while the baby is placed inside for play.

Any color combination or pattern known in the art may be utilized in connection with the basket liner. Decorative trim, ribbons, bows, and the like may be utilized to improve the aesthetic appearance of the basket liner.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the unassembled basket liner 10 of the invention. Optional pockets 11 and tabs 12 are shown unaffixed to the basket liner. As shown, the fabric layer 13 (only one fabric layer is shown) is slightly larger than the cushioning middle layer 14. In assembly, a second fabric layer would be place on top of the first fabric layer 13 and the middle layer 14 and sewn or otherwise affixed together. The middle layer 14 is shown with optional seam lines that may aid in contouring the basket liner to the basket walls In an embodiment, a drawstring or elastic member may be sewn or otherwise affixed to the fabric layer 13 around its outer edge.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the basket liner 10 separate from a basket. FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the basket liner 10 removably affixed to a household laundry basket 20. Optional pockets 11 and tabs 12 are shown on the inner surface of the basket liner in FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the basket liner 10 may be secured over the lip 13 of the basket 20. In use, the basket liner 10 should cushion the interior side walls 15, bottom wall 16, and lip 13 of the basket 20.

As is more fully described above, the present invention converts an ordinary laundry basket into a small, portable play yard. After the infant outgrows the need for assisted sitting, the basket liner and basket of the invention can be used as a decorative toy chest and/or laundry hamper.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, devices, and methods, such description is for illustrative purposes only. The words used are words of description rather than of limitation. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained therein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A removable infant-seat liner, the liner comprising: a first layer comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a drawstring or elastic member along an outer edge of the first layer; and a second layer substantially affixed to the first layer top portion; wherein the outer edge of the first layer is sized to be situated around an outer rim of a basket and the first layer is sized to fall within an internal portion of the basket.
 2. A method of providing a seat for an infant, the method comprising: providing a basket; adhering a removable infant-seat liner to an outer rim of the basket, the removable infant-seat liner comprising: a first layer comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a drawstring or elastic member along an outer edge of the first layer; and a second layer substantially affixed to the first layer top portion; wherein the outer edge of the first layer is sized to be situated around an outer rim of a basket and the first layer is sized to fall within an internal portion of the basket. 